Top 10 Interesting Facts about Lionel Messi

Star footballer Lionel Andrés Messi is touring India with his national team Argentina for a FIFA friendly match against Venezuela (on Friday), the first such match being held in India.

This is expected to give Indian football a much-need thrust.

Lionel Messi is arguably the best footballer in the world at the moment. He's won every trophy on offer at the club level. and is adored by millions of fans worldwide for the magic he creates on the field. He is often compared to football legends like Pele and Maradona and it won't be a surprise if he overtakes them soon in terms of "greatness", as he is just 24 right now.

As India, especially Kolkata, prepares to be bowled over by Leo Messi, we tell you 10 interesting facts about his life:

1. His family is of middle-class Italian origin. While his father Jorge was a factory worker, his mother Celia was a part-time cleaner.

2. He was detected with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11. His parents could not afford his treatment, which was $900 a month.

3. Messi shares his birthplace with the Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevera. Both were born in Rosario, Argentina.

4. Barcelona officials were quick to spot his footballing skills. They offered to pay for Messi's medical bills and the family shifted to Spain.

5. Messi's first contract with Barcelona was detailed out on a paper napkin! FC Barcelona sporting director Carles Rexach was so impressed with Messi's skills that he wanted to make a contract immediately and there was no paper available at that time.

6. He was offered a place in the national team by Spain which he did not accept. He wanted to wear blue-and-white Argentinian jersey, a chance he first got in 2004.

7. Messi holds two passports - Argentina's and Spain's. He became a Spanish citizen in September 2005.

8. Messi inherited the No. 10 Barca jersey from another great footballer Ronaldinho in the summer of 2008.

9. Messi supports a number of charities through his Leo Messi Foundation. He also works for people suffering from Fragile X Syndrome (a disease related to autism). He is also a a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

10. He is featured on the front covers of the video games Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 and is also involved in promotional campaigns for the games. (MensXP.com)